The impact of AI across society and the economy has been the subject of much debate and speculation, but there is no doubt that, far from taking away jobs in medical settings, it will make the role of those who fill radiographer vacancies more rewarding.
Anything that helps improve diagnosis and improve treatment decision-making has to be good news – and the latest research has indicated that using AI to analyse MRI scans can help enhance prostate cancer treatment.
This was the finding of research by the Mass General Brigham health care system in the US, published in the journal Radiology.
It developed an AI model based on over 700 prostate scans which, when put into action, was able to identify and find the edges of 85 per cent of the most aggressive lesions.
According to the AI model estimates, higher volume tumours are at higher risk of metastasis and treatment failure. This volume measure also proved more effective in predicting metastasis than traditional risk stratification methods for patients undergoing radiotherapy.
This means it is easier for oncologists to determine what is most likely to be the best course of treatment for each patient, based on the AI tumour volume analysis.
Chief author of the research David Yang said the system “has the potential to advance precision medicine for patients with prostate cancer by improving our ability to understand the aggressiveness of a patient’s cancer and therefore recommend the most optimal treatment”.
Such developments show why medical researchers all over the world are so invested in exploring the potential of AI to make MRI scans more effective.
Even the NHS is involved, with the Harrogate Advertiser recently reporting on the award of £1.4 million of funding to Harrogate and District Foundation Trust for a scanner that will be used in AI research. It is one of 36 NHS hospitals undertaking such studies into the potential of AI use with MRI scans.